Surname MacGowan - Meaning and Origin
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MacGowan: What does the surname MacGowan mean?
MacGowan is an Irish surname that has been found in several parts of Ireland since the 13th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic personal name MacAodhagáin, which contains the elements “mac”, meaning “son of”, and “Aodhagáin”, from the Irish given name “Aodh”, meaning “fire”. The addition of the -áin element to the name could mean “fire-born".
The Mac Gowan families have several different branches descending from several Gaelic clans, including branches in counties Sligo, Galway, and Leitrim. The family usually held the designation of “chiefs” and “Freeholders” in old records in their various locations. As Gaelic families held onto their history and heritage, the MacGowan surname was adopted in many countries as generations moved, including Scotland, sections of Great Britain, and the United States.
The MacGowans have historically been related with tenants of the landlords, and participated in the Jacobite rebellions of the late 1600s and early 1700s. As such, some of the MacGowan families were displaced throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In modern days, many of the MacGowans in Ireland are proud of their Gaelic heritage and continue to celebrate their family’s history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGowan: Where does the name MacGowan come from?
The last name MacGowan is primarily seen today in northern Ireland and Scotland. In both countries, it is one of the more common last names and can be found in many places throughout both countries.
The origin of the name is believed to have come from Gaelic Mac Gobhann, meaning son of Gobhan, the pet form of the Gaelic name Gáibhín, which means "small" or "beloved". It is a patrilineal surname that has been passed down through generations since at least the late 12th century.
Many people with the last name MacGowan have emigrated from their home countries to other nations, and so the name can now be found in places such as the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Despite its spread throughout these countries, MacGowan is still primarily found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as the largest concentrations of people with this surname live there. In Northern Ireland, for instance, it ranks at #398 in popularity, with 1,905 people having that last name. It is also a somewhat common name in Scotland, coming in at #643.
All in all, MacGowan is a fairly common surname today that is most strongly associated with northern Ireland and Scotland. It continues to be passed down through generations, and the number of people bearing the name is definitely on the rise.
Variations of the surname MacGowan
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacGowan include MacGowin, MacGowen, MacGawin, MacGauin, MacGawen, MacGovan, MacGovin, MacGown, McGown, MacGowne, MacGween, MacGwin, MacGwyin, MacGwain, MacGwein, MacGwinn, MacGwen, MacGwenn, and MacGwynn.
The MacGowan/MacGowin surname is derived from the Old Gaelic Mac Obama, which translates to ‘son of the blacksmith’. This is likely to suggest that their ancestor was a blacksmith, with the name being rooted in Scotland as early as 1045. The history of the surname also stretches to Ireland, where the MacGowen or MacGowan clan were part of the Ui Maine, a Connacht based family.
The variants, spellings and surnames with the same root origin can be seen in both Scotland and Ireland, and they all stem from the same source. This could mean that the modern variations of MacGowan can be traced back to the same family centuries ago.
The varied spellings and surnames offer an insight into the previous origins of the MacGowan clan and could help to uncover more history behind this old and established surname. It could also mean that those with surnames such as MacGauin, MacGown, and MacGwen could be related to the MacGowan clan, giving them a unique connection to their ancestral roots.
Famous people with the name MacGowan
- Shane MacGowan: Legendary Irish singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of The Pogues.
- Victor MacGowan: American cinematographer, best known for films such as They Live and The Crow.
- Terry MacGowan: American film editor and director, best known for his work as a film editor for films such as E.T., Jurassic Park, and Forrest Gump.
- Hilary MacGowan: American actress, best known for her roles in films such as Annie Hall, The Sure Thing, and The Prince of Tides.
- Kieran MacGowan: Irish television presenter, best known as the host of the Irish version of The Apprentice.
- Aiden MacGowan: American actor, best known for his role in the 2007 film Juno.
- Alastair MacGowan: Scottish comedian, best known for his television talk show The Alastair MacGowan Show.
- Craig MacGowan: American screenwriter and director, best known for his films Thelma & Louise, American Beauty, and Titanic.
- Patrick MacGowan: Irish-born American lawyer, best known for his work on several high-profile legal cases.
- Donald MacGowan: Canadian psychologist and author, best known for his books The Psychological Power of Positive Reinforcement and The Power of Persuasion.